Accountant demands paper/PDF bank statements

[unixman]

Hope this has not been answered before, searched and found nothing.

In order to complete the company return and statutory accounts, my accountant has asked for bank statements covering the last year. I send an Excel/csv file from the bank showing all transaction in that period.

The accountant says no, they can only accept paper statements or PDF scans thereof. They say it is for "legal reasons and company policy". What, is it 1996 already ? It will be a real pain to scan and email 25 to 30 bits of paper, and seems incredible to me, especially as this is one of the top expensive firms, not a one-man-band.

How does your accountant do it ?

[Clare@InTouch]

A csv file can be easily created by someone to show anything they like, so I can understand why the want to see something original. A scan of the final one should suffice though, just to confirm the closing balance.

Unless they are doing an audit, or your bank doesn't reconcile due to missing information, there shouldn't be any need to supply every single statement.

[Pondlife]

Print to PDF of a years transactions (statements) via online banking.

Then email it to boyo no probs. It shows the account balance with each transaction which is probably what they want.

[Craig@Clarity]

Usually, a scan of the bank balance at the company year end would suffice in order to check off that the bank account balances in the accounts.

However, if it doesn't, accountants would normally ask to see copies of the statements for the year to track down the discrepancies. The thing with a csv download is that it could be manipulated (not saying you would) whereas, a copy couldn't. I'm guessing they're just holding up their accounting standards which is reasonable.

Look at it as them trying to obviously do a good job and making sure your accounts are correct for you to sign off rather than them "purposely" trying to annoy you

[SueEllen]

All the accountants I've used have required me to send in a copy of my statements.

Luckily my bank now does them as pdf.

[malvolio]

All the accountants I've used have required me to send in a copy of my statements.

Luckily my bank now does them as pdf.

Luckily I've got a sheet feed scanner...

But yes, just as easy to pull them from the online banking service.

[unixman]

Okay thanks guys. I understand the issue with security and how a csv could be altered by me or anyone else.

Unfortunately my online banking will either show 1 page of transactions, or you can download a year's worth as CSV. It can't do a PDF covering the whole year or display more than a few transactions on each page. (Cater Allen).

The accountant will get paper copies of my paper statements. Or I could be a real dingbat and lay them all on the floor then take a 8 megapixel photo.

[Clare@InTouch]

Okay thanks guys. I understand the issue with security and how a csv could be altered by me or anyone else.

Unfortunately my online banking will either show 1 page of transactions, or you can download a year's worth as CSV. It can't do a PDF covering the whole year or display more than a few transactions on each page. (Cater Allen).

The accountant will get paper copies of my paper statements. Or I could be a real dingbat and lay them all on the floor then take a 8 megapixel photo.

Can you not give them read-only access? Then they can just log on and view without the need to bother you.

[Jessica@WhiteFieldTax]

As Craig and Claire have said they are being pratts. Final bank statement in PDF to confirm closing balance and a CSV of transactions is fine.

"Company policy" is a brilliant catch all "we-want-to-do-it-this-way" thing. Escalate if you need to.

[GB9]

Can you not give them read-only access? Then they can just log on and view without the need to bother you.

Give an accountant access to my bank account?!?!?! Never!

Can you get read only access?????